Press House - Exhibition of Katrīna Neiburga
You can download the exhibition handout here.
Curated by Páldi Lívia
Opening with a panoramic horizon the documentary installation traces the history of the Soviet era press and printing house, that until today stands as a landmark building in Riga. Neiburga’s first interest in the abandoned, dilapidated highrise awaiting demolition dates back to 2009 resulting in a project for the Staro Riga light festival. Following the trails of her personal memories and nostalgia (not only was she the editor of her school’s newspaper but both of her parents worked in the house) Neiburga’s synchronized sequences orchestrate a guided walk through the building by past employees. From one-time director to concierge and photographer, from kitchen workers to managing editors, they are all interviewed in their former workplaces within the eviscerated modernist complex. Though the recollections reveal mostly private and informative details, references recur to the pervasive absurdity and paranoia of the editorial directives and operating procedure of the Soviet state media.
Katrīna Neiburga (b. 1978), lives and works in Riga, Latvia.
http://www.neiburga.lv/
Supported by:
National Cultural Fund of Hungary
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, Budapest - A Lett Köztársaság Magyarországi Nagykövetsége
Ministry of Culture - Republic of Latvia
Lativan Centre for Contemporary Art
The exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art.
Curated by Páldi Lívia
Opening with a panoramic horizon the documentary installation traces the history of the Soviet era press and printing house, that until today stands as a landmark building in Riga. Neiburga’s first interest in the abandoned, dilapidated highrise awaiting demolition dates back to 2009 resulting in a project for the Staro Riga light festival. Following the trails of her personal memories and nostalgia (not only was she the editor of her school’s newspaper but both of her parents worked in the house) Neiburga’s synchronized sequences orchestrate a guided walk through the building by past employees. From one-time director to concierge and photographer, from kitchen workers to managing editors, they are all interviewed in their former workplaces within the eviscerated modernist complex. Though the recollections reveal mostly private and informative details, references recur to the pervasive absurdity and paranoia of the editorial directives and operating procedure of the Soviet state media.
Katrīna Neiburga (b. 1978), lives and works in Riga, Latvia.
http://www.neiburga.lv/
Supported by:
National Cultural Fund of Hungary
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, Budapest - A Lett Köztársaság Magyarországi Nagykövetsége
Ministry of Culture - Republic of Latvia
Lativan Centre for Contemporary Art
The exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art.
